Cold. Wet. Miserable.
Lu Chunhe gasped, his body shivering as he drank from the stream like a starving beast. The cold water rushed down his throat, washing away the dryness and metallic taste of blood. His body still ached, but at least he was alive.
The forest stretched around him, dense and unwelcoming. Towering trees cast long shadows in the dim light, their leaves rustling in the wind. The air smelled of damp earth, moss, and distant smoke. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the faint sounds of birds, rustling leaves, and unseen creatures stirring.
Then—voices.
"That trash was dead! He couldn't have just walked away!"
"Where is the body?"
"That trash's body was gone!"
"Find him! If he's alive, I'll kill him myself!"
Lu Chunhe's breath hitched. His heart pounded like a war drum. The disciples were close, their voices sharp, cutting through the silence like blades.
His eyes darted around. Desperate for a hiding place. Nowhere to hide. The trees were too thin, the bushes too small. His pulse roared in his ears.
The river.
A terrible idea. But it was his only chance.
Without a second thought, he jumped.
The cold water swallowed him whole. The current dragged him, spinning his body. He flailed, barely keeping his head above the surface. Water rushed into his mouth, choking him, burning his lungs. His vision blurred. His ears buzzed.
No control.
The river was wild, slamming him against rocks, dragging him through whirling rapids. Every impact sent fresh agony through his battered body.
His limbs ached, his lungs burned, but he held on. He had no choice.
Better to drown than get caught.
The sect was far behind now.
Hours later, the river spat him out. He washed up on the shore, coughing, gasping for air. His body felt like it had been beaten all over again, but at least he was far from the sect.
He was free.
Shaking, dripping wet, he forced himself up. His stomach twisted painfully. He was starving.
He staggered through the forest, barely holding himself together. His hands grabbed at a bush, plucking wild berries. Small, sour, but edible. He stuffed them into his mouth.
His eyes darted around.
Then—fish.
He crouched by a shallow stream, waiting. Close enough—
Splash!
He caught one with his bare hands and smacked its head against a rock.
With trembling fingers, he scraped wood against stone, over and over, until finally—a spark. The weak flames flickered, but they were enough. The survival videos he watched had come in handy.
The fish burned on the crude fire, its skin charring, filling the air with the bitter scent of smoke.
It tasted like burnt coal.
He still ate it all.
By morning, Lu Chunhe was moving again. His body was steadier now, his wounds healing faster than expected. He climbed a hill, gripping vines for support. At the top, he finally saw it—
A village.
Smoke curled from chimneys. Wooden houses stood in rows. Farmers moved in the fields. People.
Lu Chunhe nearly collapsed in relief.
Then—the system spoke.
[Mission: Defeat the Disciple Who Attacked You! Failure will result in... punishment.]
Lu Chunhe ignored it.
[Warning! If you don't fight, punishment will be activated!]
He sighed. "What punishment?"
[You will be forced to run naked through the streets.]
"...."
Lu Chunhe walked toward the village like he never heard a thing.
To Be Continued...